Auberge de France, Birgu

Historic Building in Birgu

CC BY-SA 4.0 / Continentaleurope

The Auberge de France in Birgu is one of the oldest surviving residences of the Knights of St. John, built around 1533 to house knights from the Langue of France. Incorporating an earlier building, its first conversion into an auberge is credited to Nicolò Flavari, one of the Order's early architects, with later façade alterations by Bartolommeo Genga. Located within the Collachio—the restricted knightly quarter—it stood beside the Auberge d'Auvergne et Provence and Auberge d'Aragon. When the French Langue moved to Valletta's new Auberge de France around 1571, the Birgu residence remained in use until 1586 before being sold into private ownership.

In the 19th century, the building was acquired by the wealthy Vella family and became known locally as il-Palazz tal-Miljunarju (“The Palace of the Millionaire”). Over the next century, it adapted to many roles: from a primary school (1852–1918) to a furniture factory, and later a political history museum in the 1980s. After periods of neglect, it underwent restoration in 1990 and was officially recognized for its cultural importance, being listed on the Antiquities List of 1925 and later designated a Grade 1 national monument in 2009.

Architecturally, the Auberge de France is built in the Melitan style, inspired by traditional Maltese domestic architecture, with rooms arranged around a central courtyard. The symmetrical façade is distinguished by moulded windows and a beautifully carved main doorway crowned with a wrought iron fleur-de-lys—a symbol of France. A carved stone lion adorns the mid-landing of the covered staircase, a feature typical of noble residences of the era. The main hall on the upper floor once served as the assembly room of the French Langue, while its basement incorporates older structures that predate the Order's arrival.

Today, the Auberge de France is the seat of the Birgu Local Council, following restoration and transfer to Heritage Malta in 2010. It is considered the second best-preserved Hospitaller auberge in Birgu, after the Auberge d'Angleterre. Standing as a proud relic of the city's knightly past, it continues to serve the community as Birgu's city hall, blending centuries of history, architecture, and civic life under one limestone roof.

The Auberge de France, Birgu appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Birgu!

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